REVEALED: The real reason why raging Redknapp has gone to war over King

25 March 2009 04:56

Viewed : 12

It emerged today that a decision by Steve McClaren is at the centre of the fall-out between England coach Fabio Capello and Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.
McClaren's insistence on playing Ledley King - despite telling Tottenham he would not risk the player - in two internationals while he was in charge of the national team in 2007 planted the seeds of mistrust between club and country that have surfaced again this week.
Controversy: Ledley King is at the centre of a club v country row
King, who was suffering from the same chronic knee injury, which hassince deteriorated, played against Brazil and Estonia over the courseof six days two years ago, which led to him breaking down and leftSpurs without one of their best players for the next six months.
Struggle: King has battled injuries throughout his career
Tottenham believe McClaren's England regime, who put King into theteam to replace the injured Owen Hargreaves in the holding midfieldrole, did not understand the uniqueness of the defender's injury andput him under unnecessary strain.
Redknapp blasted Capello's decision to call up the defender becausehe feared a repeat of the scenario that backfired on the club two yearsago.
The fact that the Football Association issued a statement on Monday night saying they would not put the player at risk, a virtual repeat of what had been said to the club when McClaren was in charge, merely added to the "nervous" feeling of deja vu at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham believe Redknapp had every right to voice his concerns, particularly as King has been the linchpin of Tottenham's recovery from a disastrous start to the season which saw them dragged into the relegation zone.
Redknapp's efforts to stop England playing King, he described the call-up as 'mad', have now led to claims that Capello sees the Spurs boss as a trouble maker with a personal agenda against his regime.
Capello insists that he has not ruled out calling up King again if he feels the player can help England qualify for the next World Cup finals. The storm has left the player feeling upset and unsure about his future at international level.
He intends to speak to Tottenham, and his advisors, before deciding whether to announce his retirement from international football so he can prolong his club career.